Growing Out of Your Bike, and Into Another

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April 29, 2012

Growing Out of Your Bike, and Into Another

by Christopher Newgent | 7 COMMENTS

It's a hard thing to admit my racing days are over. As much as I loved darting through the downtown alleys and hammering into a bright headwind, the fastest I ride these days is when I'm running late for work.

I've never been a "stable" kind of guy. Not that I see anything wrong with it, but I just don't have the space, money, or time to make a stable of bikes worth it. Ideally, I'd love to have a swift bike for when I want to go fast, a light tourer for when I want to go easy, and a knobby mountain bike for when I want to go dirty. But my house nor my wallet can support that ideal, forcing me to make a choice, and recently, I made a choice on a beautiful Raleigh Port Townsend to get me to work and back and around town without all the fuss and sweat-stripe of a messenger bag.

It's been a couple years coming, really. I've ridden my Swobo Sanchez far past my prime, and its utility as a commuter bike isn't the greatest. It's taken me this long to admit to myself that these days, my bike is more my station wagon than my sports car. I'm a commuter now, first and foremost. It's come time for a commuter bike.

Are you lucky enough to have a stable? Or have you had to make the hard choice between bikes? How do you most often ride, and what's your go-to ride?

filed under Commuting tags Opinion, Contributor

7 COMMENTS

Poor bike :( Sorry it was stolen!

Brittany April 26, 2013

I've pared down my stable of bikes over the past few years. It grew into a stable in the first place "by accident" which I've heard is a common phrase used by those that have a stable. I kept my college mountain bike, then purchased a TT bike that I used for duathlons and did most of my road riding on. Once I realized I needed a more comfortable road bike, that was added. Then came the tandem after I got married. Then I was intrigued by fixed gear riding and purchased a used road bike, converted it and used it as my commuter for awhile. Before I knew it I was up to 6 bikes (including my wife's road bike) hanging on the wall of the garage. I'm down to 4 now - sold off the TT, fixie and mtn bike, but added a CX bike that is my commuter rig now...

Nathan May 01, 2012

Man, I envy all of you. Even if my wallet could manage not having to sell off my Swobo to more quickly pay off the new Raleigh, I don't really have the room in my house for another bike.

Maybe someday if/when I move into a house with a garage or another room so I have my own office, I can double up on some bikes. I really would love to have a swifter bike around for when I just want to go get my legs tired.

Speaking of polo, I live only a half-mile from where you guys are playing these days. I really need to make it over for some games. Not sure that I'd play, but it'd be awesome to hang out with the old gang again.

Christopher May 01, 2012

I've got a small stable but it was really an accident. I was commuting on my old school Legnano racer when I grabbed a $20 trek for bike polo which became an excellent urban winter bike. And then I was given a nice Raleigh which became my new commuter. And finally I spent $100 on a mountain bike to fool around on. So little investment but much fun.

Oran April 30, 2012

Definitely a stable. I have been fortunate to receive some as hand-me-downs or get a deal or two on Craigslist. I have an older steel mountain bike that I have outfitted as a commuter, a full suspension for the mountains, a Felt for the road and racing, and a refurbished 1948 Huffy - by far my favorite to ride complete with era-correct headlight generator and large steel bell. I have a few others that my wife rides or that are awaiting a Craigslist sale of their own... but who is counting :)

Ben April 30, 2012

univega for my winter and over all crappy weather. and a Felt tk2 for the track and nice weather riding. a couple "project" bikes, and im looking to getting a touring bike soon.

joe April 30, 2012

I am lucky to have a stable and have a bike for every day of the week. My favorite bike is my Fat Tire Cruiser (actually raffled off by IndyCog for last year's Bike to Work Day). But, this is mostly for short jaunts around the neighborhood. I have my carbon road bike that I use for racing and commuting, my Softride for time trialing, my mountain bike for yucky/dirty/snowy days, a back up cruiser, and then two "project" bikes that may never get ridden again. But, I'm going to keep them just in case I decide to take them on. I have the garage space and with two bike riding kids, they will be theirs some day and I'm happy to store them in the interim.

Jason April 30, 2012